Guidelines For Treating Depression
The APA, CANMAT BAP NICE and Texas Medication Algorithm Project have issued a variety of guidelines to treat depression. In general, they recommend exercise, psychotherapy, and antidepressant medication.
The guidelines suggest that patients who do not respond to monotherapy should use CBT or SGA prior to beginning treatment and increase dosages if needed. Supplementation with lithium, psychostimulants, SSRIs and SNRIs, as well as TMAPs can be beneficial in patients who fail to respond to monotherapy.
1. Diagnosis
A diagnosis is the first step in treating depression. This involves a discussion with your doctor or mental health professional and some kinds of psychotherapy (talk therapy).
Your GP will inquire about your symptoms and how they've impacted your life over the last month. They'll also ask whether you've had any thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Your GP will also take into consideration your general health, family background and lifestyle in determining if you suffer from depression.
It's essential to be open and honest with your GP, so they can get the most accurate picture of what's happening for you. This will help them identify the signs of depression. They can then utilize these symptoms to rule out other illnesses like cancer or heart disease, which can cause similar symptoms.
Once your GP has decided that you may be suffering from depression, they'll rule out other illnesses with tests. Blood tests, for instance, can check thyroid or anemia problems which could be the cause of depression. They'll also check your blood for vitamin deficiencies, or even drugs and alcohol, which can also mimic depression.
If your GP finds that you have depression, they'll explain the reasons behind it and the best method to treat it. This could include psychotherapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Antidepressants are among the most effective medications to treat depression. They work by altering the balance of chemicals in the brain. They can be taken in the form of injections or orally and it can take a few weeks for them to start working. They can also trigger side effects such as constipation and dry mouth.
2. Medication
The use of medications can benefit many suffering from depression. At first, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or a combination of them. If the initial treatment fails to produce a satisfactory response Your doctor may suggest that you try another medication or alter the dose or time of day you take it. To get the most out of your medication, it's essential to take it regularly. It is not advisable to stop taking your medication unless you are instructed to do so by your physician.
Based on the severity of your symptoms, you could be given a prescription for an antidepressant that is general in nature or an SSRI. An SSRI is an antidepressant which increases the levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Examples of SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa) as well as escitalopram (Lexapro) and fluoxetine (Prozac). Your doctor might also prescribe a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR or Khedezla).
If your doctor believes that tetracyclics are more effective than SSRIs or SNRIs, they may prescribe them. SSRIs and SNRIs are generally considered safe to use in children and adolescents.
Before taking any medication, it is important to inform your doctor if you are any health issues or allergies. Some medications may cause side effects, such as an upset stomach or a dry mouth. In general, they are minor and will go away on their own in about two or three weeks. If you're taking medication, don't drive or operate machines until you feel calm and clear.
Certain symptoms of depression, such as restlessness or difficulty sleeping, can be made worse by alcohol and other recreational drugs. These substances should be avoided because they can make depression harder to treat. Continued use, especially for a long time, can lead to more serious problems.
3. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can assist you in dealing with issues that contribute to depression. This type of treatment can be long-lasting, but it has been proven to be effective for a lot of people suffering from depression. Psychotherapy can be done in many different settings, including private therapy offices and hospitals, psychiatric centers and rehabilitation facilities. It is usually conducted one-onone but group therapy is also a possibility.
Your Therapist will discuss your emotions and behaviors as well as your relationships with you in a private and safe environment. In the first session your therapist gets to get to know you better and suggests a treatment plan. This may include psychotherapy, medication, activity and exercises or other treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or electroconvulsive treatment (ECT).
Some of them are short-term and are focused on specific issues. For instance, interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps people understand the root of their issues, like unresolved grief or conflicts with significant others. Depression can be caused by a variety of reasons, from stress and loss to unresolved traumas, abuse and other issues. This may require therapy for a longer period and other treatments.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as cognitive restructuring, helps people to change their thinking patterns, which cause symptoms. It also improves the ability to cope and help them deal with the stresses and conflicts of life. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) blends elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques, which allow you to be aware and accept your emotions.
Psychological treatments can be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression that is acute. However, it takes longer to effect results, and not everyone responds in the same way. It is important to be present at your therapy sessions and to complete your homework between sessions (like journaling or meditation).
4. Counseling
If you are experiencing depression symptoms that are severe or mild it is important to seek treatments that help. This could include psychological therapy or counseling. A professional outside of your life helping with your feelings could be life-changing. You may need to try several therapists before you find one who resonates with you, but it's worth it.
There are several types of psychotherapy. However most involve discussing your concerns and developing strategies to manage depression. It is also beneficial to share your experiences with a group of others who are dealing with similar issues. Group counseling is offered in medical clinics, hospitals and therapists' offices. It is also done on your phone through online Telehealth services.
Counseling for depression aims to change negative thoughts and behaviors which cause depression. A therapist could be able to, for instance, guide you on how to manage stress in order to improve your mood. You may learn to recognize thoughts that are not rational and challenge preconceptions that make you feel depressed. You might use EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to relieve traumatic or painful memories that may contribute to depression.
Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavioural activation can be used to help you recognize your patterns of behavior and to make changes. For example, behavioural activation therapy is beneficial when depression causes you to avoid social activities. The goal is to promote more social interaction and to determine the ways your actions affect your mood. Generally, these approaches are utilized in conjunction with medication. You can find a qualified psychotherapist in your local area by asking your doctor to refer you or by calling a mental health center in your community.
5. depression treatment modalities is a proven way to treat and prevent depression. But it's rarely considered a core treatment, with medication and psychotherapy being the most popular. However, a growing body of research suggests that exercising can be as effective in treating depression as psychotherapy and antidepressants, or even more effective.
In fact it's more effective than psychotherapy or medication by itself, according to a meta-analysis involving more than 150 studies. The study revealed that people with depression who exercised noticed their symptoms improving by five points on one scale and 6.5 points on another, which is clinically important. The results were similar whether they exercised in a few minutes or for an hour per day.
Exercise is an excellent alternative to psychotherapy or medication which are not suitable for all people. It also has the added bonus of keeping us physically healthy and preventing other mental health issues, including anxiety.
Furthermore exercising doesn't come with the stigma that can be associated with taking drugs or attending therapy. Exercise is accessible to everyone, comes with few costs and can be an empowering approach.
It's still hard to study exercise as medicine because it's difficult for researchers to control factors such as how much people exercise in their normal routine and any other medications they may be taking. So more research is needed to determine the best amount, frequency, and duration of exercise for preventing and treating depression. To aid patients suffering from depression, doctors are prescribing exercise as a part of their treatment plans. The 'green prescription,' is a program that aims to encourage patients to be active by contacting a fitness expert regularly by phone or face-toface.